Improvement in sled-brakes



W. D. JOHNSTON.

improvement in Sled-Brakes.

N0. 131,220. Patented Sep.10, 1872.

TER

UNITED STATES PA. QEErcE WILLIAM D. JHNSTON, HABBISVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SLED-BRAKES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 131,220, dated September 10, 1872.

Specification describing a new and useful Improvement in Sled-Brake,invented by WIL- LIAM D. JOHNSTON, of Harrisville, in the county of Butler and State of Pennsylvania.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l is a top view of a bob-slei gh to which my improved brake has been applied. Fig. 2 is a detail vertical longitudinal section of the same taken through the line :v a', Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has for its object to furnish an improved sled or sleigh-brake simple in construction, convenient in use, and effective in operation, enabling the brake to beapplied with a force proportioned to the force with which the sled pushes forward; and it consists in the construction and combination of the various parts of the brake, as hereinafter more fully described.

A represents the sleigh, which may be a bob-sleigh, as shown in the drawing, or a single sleigh, as desired. I will describe the brake as applied to a bob-sleigh. B are the dogs which pass down through keepers C attached to the rea-r ends of the runners of the rear bob. The upper ends of the dogs B are pivoted to short rearwardly-projecting arms D, formed upon or attached to the ends of a shaft, E, which works in the eyes of eyebolts or in other bearings attached to the 'rear knees of the rear bob. To an arm, F, formed upon or attached to the middle part of the shaft E, is pivoted the rear end of the rod G, which passes forward beneath the beams and roller of the rear bob, is jointed between the bobs, passes through a keeper attached to the under side of the rear beam of the forward bob, and its forward end is pivoted to the roller of the forward bob, or to a short rearwardly-projecting arm attached to said roller. H are two U-shaped bars, the ends of which are secured to the upper and lower sides of the middle part of the roller of the forward bob. The U- bars H are placed parallel with each other and at such a distance apart as to receive the rear part of the tongue I between them. The bars H are supported against outward pressure by braces J, the outer ends of which are secured to the forward side of the end parts of the roller, and their forward ends are secured to the bends of the bars H by the same bolt that pivots the tongue to said bars H. The braces J may be formed solid with the bars H if desired. The tongue I is further strengthened against the side strain by the braces K, the forward ends of which are secured to the opposite sides of the tongue I, and the rear ends of which are secured to the U-bars H and the braces J by the same bolt that pivots the tongue to said bars and braces. The rear end of the tongue I rests upon the upper side of the roller, so` that when the sleigh presses forward the resistance of the tongue will tend to revolve the roller and thus draw the rod 'G forward, forcing the dogs B downward to take hold of the road-bed. The ends of the upper arms of the bars-H project a little in the rear of the roller, and have a short U-shaped rod, L, attached to them to receive the rear end of the short sliding bolt M, which passes through a guide-keeper attached to the upper side of the rear end of the tongue I. The forward end of the bolt M is pivoted to the short lever N, the lower end of which is pivoted to the tongue I, so that by moving the free end of the lever N to the rearward the'bolt M will be pushed through the looped rod L, and will thus prevent the tongue I from turning upon the roller, which will prevent the brake from being applied. This arrangement also enables the sled to be backed without applying the brakes.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The arrangement of the dogs B, armed shaft D F E, rod Gr, U-shaped arms or brackets H, and braces J K, inconnection with the body, roller, and tongue of a sled or sleigh, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the bent or looped rod L, bolt M, and lever N with the tongue and roller of the sled and with the device H J K for connecting said tongue and roller, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM D. JOHNSTON.

Witnesses:

JAMES N. AREEIsoN, J AMEs KEER. 

